Order Of Worship
Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
June 25, 2023 – 3:00 PM
Brother Aaron Manzy Worship Leader
The Doxology
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”
The Call To Worship
Pastor Marben Bland
Opening Hymn
#450 Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine
The Invocation
Brother Darrion Willoughby
The Invocation Response
#450 Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine
Solo Brother Eric Johnson
The Reading Of The Scriptures
Old Testament - Dr. Robbie Hooker
New Testament - Judge Kamau Hull
Summary of the Decalogue
Brother Aaron Manzy
Announcements – Pastor’s Aid Ministry
Offering
Pastor Marben Bland
Brother Bruce Haygood
Brother Isaac Yelder
Solo
Brother Eric Johnson
Welcome & Occasion
Brother Bryson Manzy
Special Recognition
Brother Aaron Manzy
Sister Gwen Manzy
Worship in Music
The Voices of Truth
Introduction of the Preacher
Dr. Vernellia Wade
The Sermonic Selection
The Voices of Truth
Minister Reginald Wade
The Message
Minister Reginald Wade
The Invitation to Discipleship
#251 I Surrender All
Remarks
Brother Aaron Manzy
The Grace and Benediction
Minister Reginald Wade
Dinner will be served in the Fellowship Hall
Call To Worship
Calling Leaders
Gaining Obedience While Leaning on My Deliverance
Leader: Oh, Listen to God’s words men of Athens and beyond. The Lord needs your obedience, the Lord needs your deliverance, the Lord needs your leadership.
People: I will gain my obedience while leaning on my deliverance.
Leader: The Lord needs your leadership in your home. As God has demanded you to be a reliable partner to your wives and a good father to your children.
People: I will gain my obedience while leaning on my deliverance.
Leader: The Lord needs your leadership in the community. As God is calling on you to make a difference in the lives of His people.
People: I will gain my obedience while leaning on my deliverance.
Leader: The Lord needs your leadership in the church. As God is commanding you to build a new church for the present age.
People: I will gain my obedience while leaning on my deliverance.
Leader: The Lord needs your leadership in fellowship with other men following the examples of Brother H.V. Brown, and Brother Raymond Roundtree. As God has ordained that iron sharpens iron when men work together.
People: It is with the blessed assurance of the Lord, that I will gain my obedience while leaning on my deliverance as I become the Leader God wants me to be.
#450 Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine
Fanny J. Crosby/Phoebe P. Knapp1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
2. Perfect submission, perfectly delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3. Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my savior am happy and blessed, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
SummaryOfTheDecalogue
TheCongregation, RiseandSings:
“Fromallthatdwellbelowtheskies, letthe Creator’spraisearise; lettheRedeemer’s namebesung, througheverylandby everytongue. ”
TheMinisterSays:
HearwhatChristourSavioursaith, thou shaltlovetheLordthyGodwithallthy heart, andwithallthysoul, andwithallmy mind. Thisisthefirstandgreat commandment. Andthesecondislikeunto it: Thoushaltlovethyneighborasthyself. Onthesetwocommandmentshangallthe lawandtheprophets.
THEGLORIAPATRI
TheCongregation, RiseandSings:
“GlorybetotheFather, andtotheSon, andtotheHolyGhost; Asitwasinthe beginning, isnow, andevershallbe, world withoutend. Amen. ”
YourPrayersInTheHolyLand
PastorBlandisblessed,honored,andexcitedtobe goingonhissecondpilgrimagetotheHolyLand startingMonday.Formillionsofpeopleoffaith,the WailingWallisthesymboloftheHolyCityof Jerusalem.Itisaplacewherepeopleofallfaithspray, oftenplacingslipsofpaperintothewallcontaining prayers.
Pastorwelcomestheopportunitytotakeyourprayers totheHolyLand.Writeyourprayerontheslipsof paperprovidedanddropthemintheboxatthealtar. YourconfidentialprayerwillbeplacedintheWalling Wall.
TheAnnualRoosevelt&Thelma
TaylorScholarshipCelebration–
Thursday,July20@6:00PM
YouarecordiallyinvitedtoourAnnualRoosevelt& ThelmaTaylorScholarshipCelebration.Honoring
AthensHighSchoolCounselorsandSocialWorkers, recognizing2023andPastTaylorScholars.Chrystal Gillis,theDirectorofSchoolSocialWorkforthe
ClarkeCountySchoolDistrictwillbetheKeynote Speaker.
Bible Study
Thursday: August 3, 2023 @ 7:00 PM ET
It's easy to be happy when things go well for you. But what would it be like to have a sense of joy that continued even in times of trouble? Such was the deep joy that the apostle Paul experienced--even in prison. His contentment was neither dependent on circumstances nor changed by difficulty.
Our Bible Study resumes with a ninesession study of Philippians. In our study Paul will show you how to live joyfully in every situation. Order the book today on Amazon.
BTrivia ibleStudy
In2ndSamuel7:1,welearnthatGod hasassignedKingDavida“personal prophet.”Whoisit?
A.Bathsheba
B.Nathan
C.Ezekiel
D.Isaiah
BonusQuestion
NamethefourGospelswhicharethe booksintheBiblethatdetailsthelife, teachings,death,andresurrectionof Jesus.
#251 I Surrender All
Judson W. VanDeVenter/Winfield S. Weeden1. All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily give.
Refrain I surrender all,
(I surrender all). I surrender all,
(I surrender all). All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
2. All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow; Worldly pleasures all forsaken, take me, Jesus, take me now.
Refrain I surrender all,
(I surrender all). I surrender all, (I surrender all). All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
Brother HenryBrown
Brother Henry Brown was born in Hilton, Georgia in Early County. The son of the late Brother Ira Turner Brown and Sister Queenie Brown. A member of Greater Bethel AME Church for 55 Years, Brother Brown is a Dedicated Christian who works tirelessly to take care of members of the church. He has an encouraging spirit always available to support and nurture others.
Over the years Brother Brown has served Greater Bethel as a Choir Member, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Superintendent of Sunday School, Steward, and Trustee. Brother Brown is enjoying his well-earned retirement after a successful career as an Independent Courier and a Manager with The Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company.
Brother Brown’s Favorite Scriptures are 2nd Chronicles 7:14
“If my people who are called by name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. And, Revelations Chapter 3 verse 8, “I know your works ( behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name.”
In addition to Greater Bethel honoring him today, Brother Brown and his lovely bride Sister Patricia Brown are celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary today.
Happy Anniversary to the Browns!!
Brother RaymondRoundtree
Brother Raymond Rountree was born in Sandersville, Georgia to the Late Brother Isaiah and Sister Mable Roundtree.
A member of Greater Bethel for 80 years, Brother Rountree has served the church as a Trustee, Male Chorus Member, Choir Member, Soloist, Vacation Bible School Support Staff, and is now a Trustee Emeritus. He is always around to support and serve the membership!
Brother Roundtree’s favorite scripture is Matthews 7:12, The Golden Rule, “Therefore in all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do you even so, to them. For this is the Law and the Prophets.”
After decades working with the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, General Time/ Westclock, Westinghouse/ ABB Transformer M.F.G. Company and the Clarke County School District, Brother Rountree has retired.
He now spends his time restoring his vintage car and enjoying the love of his life his Sister Janice Roundtree, who he married at the Maddox Center in 1966.
Minster Reginald Wade
Minister Reginald Wade is the Associate Minister at Little Creek Baptist Church serving in his hometown of Watkinsville, Georgia. Licensed and ordained Minister Wade earned both has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Liberty University and has been accepted into Liberty’s Doctor of Strategic Leadership program.
A U.S. Army veteran Minister Reginald Wade served his country for 30 years earning numerous honors retiring as a Command Sergeant Major the most senior enlisted member of his battalion.
Minister Wade distinguished himself during a threedecade career in law enforcement. Serving AthensClarke County in both the Sheriff and Police departments. A certified police instructor and a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy, Minister Wade’s leadership and expertise were recognized with his selection as Chief of the Richmond County Board of Education Police Department.
Minister Wade is married to the lovey Dr. Vernellia Wade, they are the proud parents of a daughter Vanessa.
Patrons Empowerment Weekend
Mrs. Veronica Adams
Joan Antone
Joycette Bell
Mr. & Mrs. Herritt Black
Reverend Marben Bland
Angel Bolton
Denise Brightwell
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Brown
Mr. George Brown
Stephanie Burgess
Mr. & Mrs. Willie James Burnette
Isaac Butler
Dianne Campbell
Jalyn Chapman
Brenda Chrisp
Harriett G. Church
Patrons
Mable Daniel
Katheryn B. Davis
Kirsten J. R. Davis
Novella Edwards
Linda Fair
Dr. Beverly Ford
Deborah Green
Bruce Haygood
Tonya Haygood
Annie Ingram
Taqueilla Ivey-Fortson
Barbara Johnson
Dametrice Johnson
Elaine Johnson
Mrs. Shirley Longmore
Jameka Maddox
Patrons
Aaron Manzy
Bryson Manzy
Gwen Manzy
Linda McGhee
Mr. & Mrs. Calvin Milner
Prinnies Moore
Angela Mosley
Angela Nelson
Lea Nelson
Mya Nelson
Latonya Parrott
Cassius Pass
Toya Pass
Minister Lisa Phillips
The Pratt Family
Carolyn Robinson
James Robinson
Patrons Empowerment Weekend
The Roundtree Family
Karen Shelton
DaMarion Smith
Dennis “Phat Phat” Smith
Linda Smith
NaDarrius Smith
Tiffany Smith
Terris Thomas
Bonita Wade
Reginald & Vernellia Wade
Harold Waters, Jr.
Harold Waters, III
Karalyn D. Waters
Lauryn Waters
Mrs. Iva Watterson
Daisy Williams
Brenda Yelder
Isaac Yelder
Men's Day
WorshipService
The Empowerment Weekend committee would like to thank the following people:
Pastor Marben Bland
Sister Patricia Brown
Sister Beverly Copeland
Brother Shaquille Gatlin
Sister Cheryl Jones
Brother Bryson Manzy
Sister Gwen Manzy
Sister Prinnies Moore
Brother Eric Nesbitt
Sister Janice Roundtree
Sister Diane Thrasher
Brother Darrion Willoughby
Sister Janice Witcher
Sister Brenda Yelder
The annual NBA Draft took place this week. Young men most of them black from around the world were scouted for selection into the league with 19-year-old Victor Wembanyama from France being selected as the number one pick.
Theaverage NBAcareeris 4.5years
DraftedTo SpreadThe Gospel, DraftedTo Change TheChurch Black YouthAre NotIn Church
While the draft was a night of celebration with dreams coming true for those selected, the reality is the NBA is a ruthless business Talent will get you a spot to play for an NBA team, but losing focus and underperforming or getting injured will end a basketball careerjustasquickly. The average player’s career lasts 4.5years,soformanyofthose19year-old young men whose nameswerecalled,thedreamwill endbeforetheyturn25.
Young black men are being drafted in places other than the NBA.
Gangs: 1-5 Gang Members Are Young Black Men.
Drugs: Young Black Men 10x More Likely To Die From Overdose
Gun Violence: 54% Of All Gun
Deaths Involved Young Black Men
For generations church has been the bedrockofBlackAmericanlife,butnotnow. 28percentofBlackGenZersand33percent of Black millennials are religiously unaffiliated. Younger generations are less likely to rely on prayer, less likely to have grown up in Black churches and less likely to say religion is an important part of their lives.
God Is Drafting Us To Spread The Gospel
Expanded Social Media Presence. Being More Personally Present.
Showing Up Where The People Are.